Empty line
Deep beneath the picturesque vineyards of Moldova, the Cricova Winery remains a testament to the storied connections between powerful world leaders and fine wine. However, it is a bittersweet tale of snubs and political estrangement, as the winery has now declared a noticeable absence: the wine collection once owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Host to a variety of prominent visitors, Cricova's underground labyrinth has previously accommodated Putin, who celebrated his 50th birthday there with a lavish selection of wines gifted from Moldova’s last communist president. Yet, following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this once-prized collection has been relegated to the shadows.
Sorin Maslo, the winery's director, stated that amidst rising inquiries on why Putin's gifts remained visible, the decision was made to relocate his bottles to a darkened, secluded part of the cellar. They haven't been destroyed but unseen, said Maslo, emphasizing a desire to avoid dealing with the embarrassing association with the Russian leader.
Among the many historical artifacts, the winery displays bottles belonging to Hermann Goering as well as an extraordinary 2013 gift of 460 bottles presented to former Secretary of State John Kerry, a symbolic memento left behind by a world grappling with shifting alliances.
The evolution of this space from hosting Russian leaders to obscuring their legacies signals Moldova's complex navigation through present-day geopolitical turmoil, ironically turning a once-celebrated wine experience into a poignant reminder of the ramifications of war and aggression on international relationships.
Deep beneath the picturesque vineyards of Moldova, the Cricova Winery remains a testament to the storied connections between powerful world leaders and fine wine. However, it is a bittersweet tale of snubs and political estrangement, as the winery has now declared a noticeable absence: the wine collection once owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Host to a variety of prominent visitors, Cricova's underground labyrinth has previously accommodated Putin, who celebrated his 50th birthday there with a lavish selection of wines gifted from Moldova’s last communist president. Yet, following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this once-prized collection has been relegated to the shadows.
Sorin Maslo, the winery's director, stated that amidst rising inquiries on why Putin's gifts remained visible, the decision was made to relocate his bottles to a darkened, secluded part of the cellar. They haven't been destroyed but unseen, said Maslo, emphasizing a desire to avoid dealing with the embarrassing association with the Russian leader.
Among the many historical artifacts, the winery displays bottles belonging to Hermann Goering as well as an extraordinary 2013 gift of 460 bottles presented to former Secretary of State John Kerry, a symbolic memento left behind by a world grappling with shifting alliances.
The evolution of this space from hosting Russian leaders to obscuring their legacies signals Moldova's complex navigation through present-day geopolitical turmoil, ironically turning a once-celebrated wine experience into a poignant reminder of the ramifications of war and aggression on international relationships.
